When Oscar was in Italy, and in absolute need, Smithers got a man named Roberts to advance L100 on the scenario.

I found that Oscar had written out the whole scenario for him and outlined the characters of his drama.

This was evidently the completest claim that had yet been brought before me: it was also, Smithers proved, the earliest, and Smithers himself was in dire need.

I wrote to Oscar that I thought Smithers had the best claim because he was the first buyer, and certainly ought to have something.

Oscar replied, begging me not to be a fool: to send him the money and tell Smithers to go to Sheol.
Thereupon I told Smithers I could not afford to give him any money at the moment; but if the play was a success he should have something out of it.
The play was a success: it was stopped for a week by Queen Victoria's death, in January, and was, I think, the only play that survived that ordeal.